2006 “10 Worst Toys” List
Funny Junk, Interesting StuffBelow is the list of toys listed as the worst toys in 2006. The list came from the WATCH website ( http://www.toysafety.org ).
1. Heelys
These popular shoes, which have “removable” wheels in the heels, turn children’s sneakers into a type of in-line skate. The manufacturer cautions that Heelys “can be dangerous”, yet these items are marketed to children who are unprepared for their associated risks. Moreover, since these “skates” are also marketed as footwear, they are often sold and used without any protective gear.
2. Z LAUNCHER: TURBO WATER BALLOON LAUNCHER
This water balloon “launcher” is marketed as being capable of “turbo launching” water balloons up to 100 feet, with “Direct-hit Accuracy!” A package insert includes warnings such as “[b]e alert, water balloons may travel in unanticipated directions”, and “NEVER” throw at “unsuspecting people” or “at people within 20 feet.” Also, balloons themselves pose a recognized choking hazard in the hands of children.
3. PRAM DECORATION – BLOSSOMS
This “patch of flowery meadow”, consisting of a cord approximately 23.5″ long with attached beads and other small cloth and wooden play items, is sold online and in U.S. retail stores specifically for use on a “stroller or crib”. Nevertheless, the box includes a warning stating: “Do not attach crib or playpen.” Further, a package insert warns that a child “might become entangled in the string, therefore remove string and toy as soon as the child begins to crawl.” The small ball attachments, even if not removed from the cord, present a potential choking hazard for babies.
4. PYRAMID STACKER
The Pottery Barn Kids stacking toy, which contains multi-colored tiers, includes pyramid-shaped rigid, wooden parts, intended to be stacked upon a solid-wood dowel. A toddler who falls on the inflexible toy could suffer severe impact injuries. The manufacturer fails to provide any warnings despite marketing the toy for toddlers as young as “12 months”.
5. BOW & ARROW SET
This bow and arrow set includes rubber-tipped “arrows” made of solid wood. The tips, however, are removable, and the rigid, wooden shafts can be propelled with sufficient velocity to potentially cause severe injuries. Weaponry should not be sold as toys for children.
6. ZIP-ITY DO DOLLY
Young children are encouraged to engage in seven “learning activities”, including buttoning, zipping and snapping. One version has a red plastic button on the doll’s clothing, attached using only thread, which could be ingested by oral-age children. Once detached, the button fails even the toy industry’s inadequate small parts “choke tube” standard. Another doll has a soft, plush ball attached to the zipper, which also presents a potential choking hazard.
7. LIL SNOOPY
Despite the industry’s voluntary standard requiring strings on playpen or crib toys to be less than 12″ in length, some manufacturers continue to market toys such as this “Lil Snoopy” pull toy, with a cord measuring approximately 27″. Sold to be “[y]our child’s very first puppy!”, it is intended for children as young as 12 months old and thus is a prime candidate for cribs and playpens.
8. SUPERMAN LAMP
This colorful “lamp” purchased in a toy department, is a molded figurine in the form of the popular comic book and big screen hero Superman. The character comes with warnings which state, in part: “This is an electric product – not a toy! To avoid risk of fire, burns, personal injury and electric shock it should not be played with or placed where small children can reach it.” Incredibly, families are further instructed to “[un]plug the product when leaving the house, when retiring for the night, or if left unattended.” The manufacturer’s proclamation that the figurine is not a toy has little meaning to small children, who may be attracted to the figurine, and thus be exposed to the potential electrical hazard.
9. SKY BLASTER
“Sky Blaster” is sold as an “All In One Rocket & Launcher!” The manufacturer warns, among other cautions, not to aim at “the eyes or face of a person as an injury could result”, and further instructs that users must “[a]lert all within range when launching Sky Blaster.”
Remarkably, despite these concerns, children are also encouraged to “bend fins … to achieve spinning flights”.
10. FEAR FACTOR CANDY CHALLENGE
These “Fear Factor” pouches containing “spine-chilling spiders”, “mystery meat”, and a “buzzard buffet”, pose a “candy challenge” to children, asking: “[I]s fear a factor for you?” The grotesque buffet, available in the toy aisle, is based upon the television series which sometimes features contestants competing to eat as much as possible in the shortest time.
Toy aisles should not be used to encourage food-eating competitions, which invite potential choking and ingestion injuries, particularly for young children.